To train like a top soccer player, you have to prepare for the unique demands of the game. Players at the World Cup cover 10 to 12 kilometres per match and burn about 1,400 calories – but it’s very different from simply running 10 kilometres at a steady pace. Click on the PDF below to see how you can boost your skills in the sprints, kicks and sudden turns that separate victory from defeat.
The science of kicking and other soccer secrets
ZINEDINE ZIDANE signed off from football in the most dramatic fashion — but without the World Cup in his hands. The France legend had enjoyed one of the finest Indian summers to a career, singlehandedly leading his side to the final against Italy. But just when his country were looking for their hero to produce one last star showing, he lost his head — or rather smashed it into the chest of Marco Materazzi.
Zidane's red card in extra-time was the prelude to Italy's 5-3 win on penalties, with Fabio Cannavaro the man to lift the trophy in Berlin.
It marked the fourth time the Azzuri have tasted World Cup glory and came on the back of a season which had seen their domestic game marred by a match-fixing scandal.
England went into the tournament expecting big things from their 'Golden Generation' — but typically had to sweat on the fitness of a star player in the build-up.
This time it was Wayne Rooney, who returned from a broken metatarsal to help Sven Goran Eriksson's men top their group.
A 1-0 victory over Ecuador sealed a quarter-final place, only for Portugal to break their hearts with a win on penalties — after Rooney had seen red for a stamp on Ricardo Carvalho.
Italy's campaign, unlike their previous triumph in 1982, had started brightly with wins over Ghana and the Czech Republic and a draw with USA seeing them top Group A.
They needed a dodgy penalty to overcome Australia in the knockout stages before a 3-0 win over Ukraine set up their semi-final with Germany.
The hosts, who were widely praised for their staging of the tournament, were in terrific form and took the Italians to extra time.
But dramatic late goals from Fabio Grosso and Alessandro Del Piero meant there was to be no reward for their hospitality.
France awaited them in the final, having started the tournament slowly before a switch in formation gave Zidane the license to roam.
The move proved devastating, with the old warhorse pulling the strings in wins over three fancied teams — Spain, Brazil and Portugal.
Zidane's penalty in the Berlin final but Les Blues 1-0 up, only for Materazzi's header to level things up.
But the duo were not done there, clashing late in the game to see the French reduced to 10 men.
Zidane was eventually named the player of the tournament — and there can be no doubting the impact he had.
ENGLAND went into the tournament in Mexico as World Cup holders — but it was Pele and the boys from Brazil who would emerge triumphant. The two teams met in a group match that will live long in the memory. Bobby Moore made a succession of perfectly-timed tackles, keeper Gordon Banks denied Pele with the save of the century and Jeff Astle missed a sitter that would have earned the Three Lions a point.
In the end, a 60th-minute strike from Jairzinho — who would go on to score in every match in the tournament — gave Brazil victory but pundits predicted the teams would meet again in the final.
Sadly, it was not to be. After qualifying second in Group C courtesy of 1-0 wins over Romania and Czechoslovakia, England began three long-standing traditions — choking in quarter-finals, losing to the Germans and finding a scapegoat to blame afterwards.
Goals from Alan Mullery and Martin Peters gave them a 2-0 lead but Franz Beckenbauer and Uwe Seeler drew West Germany level before Gerd Muller grabbed a winner in extra-time.
Keeper Peter Bonetti — standing in for the injured Gordon Banks — got most of the blame, while boss Alf Ramsey's decision to substitute Bobby Charlton with 20 minutes left was also heavily criticised.
West Germany went on to meet Italy in a thrilling semi-final. A Roberto Boninsegna goal looked like sending Italy through until Karl-Heinz Schnellinger snatched a last-gasp equaliser.
Five more goals were scored in extra-time, with Muller's brace not enough to prevent a 4-3 victory for Italy.
Brazil, meanwhile, had cruised past Peru 4-2 in the quarter-finals and beat Uruguay 3-1 in the last four to set up a final clash with Italy.
Pele rose like a salmon to head Brazil into an early lead in Mexico City only for Boninsegna to equalise for the Azzurri before the break.
But second-half goals from Gerson, Jairzinho and — rounding off a superb passing move — Carlos Alberto saw Brazil claim their third World Cup.
